Work autonomy as a buffer: The impact of perceived information privacy violation on job satisfaction and the mediating role of work stress

Abstract

Background

With the rapid advancement of digital technologies, organizations are increasingly collecting employee data to enhance management efficiency. However, this practice often leads to employees perceiving violations of their information privacy, which can negatively affect their job satisfaction. Despite the growing prevalence of digital monitoring, the psychological and behavioral consequences of privacy violations remain underexplored, particularly in the context of work stress and autonomy.

Objective

This study aims to investigate the impact of perceived information privacy violations on job satisfaction, with a focus on the mediating role of work stress and the moderating role of work autonomy. By applying the Conservation of Resources (COR) theory, we seek to provide a deeper understanding of how privacy concerns impact employee well-being and offer practical insights for organizations to balance data collection with employee autonomy.

Methods

We conducted a structured questionnaire survey of 435 office workers from various industries, including manufacturing, finance, services, and internet sectors. Data were analyzed using confirmatory factor analysis, correlation analysis, and bootstrapping techniques to test the proposed hypotheses. The study employed established scales to measure perceived information privacy violation, work stress, job satisfaction, and work autonomy.

Results

The results reveal that perceived information privacy violations significantly reduce job satisfaction. Work stress partially mediates this relationship, indicating that privacy concerns increase stress levels, which in turn lower job satisfaction. Additionally, work autonomy moderates the indirect impact, weakening the negative impact of privacy violations on job satisfaction. Specifically, employees with higher work autonomy experience less stress and are less affected by privacy concerns.

Conclusions

This study contributes to the literature by highlighting the adverse impacts of digital monitoring on employee well-being and offering practical guidance for organizations to mitigate these impacts. By fostering work autonomy and addressing privacy concerns, organizations can enhance job satisfaction and create a more supportive work environment. These findings are particularly relevant in the context of remote work and the increasing reliance on digital technologies in the workplace.